Workshops | Beyond Academia

FRIDAY WORKSHOPS

Concurrent Kick-Off Workshops
10:30-11:30am, various locations
Pick the option that's right for you!

"Okay, I'm in Grad School# Now What?"

Recommended for students still completing coursework, those who are pre-ABD, and master's students
Facilitator: Lana Smith-Hale (Graduate Career Counselor, UCSB Career Services)
Location: State Street Room

For Master's and pre-ABD PhD students, we know it may feel like you just got here. For others, you may be realizing how much more there is to go in your program, almost as if the end seems to be getting further away. But for most students at this point, the thought of what you will do after you leave UCSB is elusive, remote, and-frankly-complicated. This workshop will help give you tangible suggestions for how to best position yourself during graduate school to get on the career path designed for you. We'll also highlight important campus resources and ways to get the most out of the Beyond Academia conference.

"Okay, I'm Finishing Grad School# Now What?"

Recommended for ABD students with the finish line in sight
Facilitator: Derek Musashe (Career Counselor, UCSB Career Services)
Location: Corwin Pavilion

Are you in the final stages of your grad program, waiting for it all to come together for you professionally? Perhaps you've even been waiting for several years now hoping that things will resolve themselves but to no avail? Join us for a talk on what you can start tangibly doing to break this cycle of waiting for something that may never come. We will cover tips, tools, and resources that you can use to put yourself in the driver's seat of the career that lies ahead of you.

"Okay, I'm a Postdoc# Now What?"

Recommended for postdocs at any stage in their appointment
Facilitator: Shawn Warner (Director of Professional Development, UCSB Graduate Division)
Location: Lobero Room

As a postdoc, you probably find yourself at a unique crossroads in your career. A large chunk of your time, treasure, and talent has been sunk into pursuing academic research, and this may have produced mixed results as far as your career prospects. The truth is, whether you have been open-minded about your career options all along or you have finally reached a tipping point and are ready for a change, you already are a highly skilled professional with a lot to offer. This workshop will offer guidance, moral support, and-most importantly-tangible next steps and connection to campus resources that will help you navigate this crossroads with confidence.

Free the PhD Career Exploration Session

12:30-2:30pm, Corwin Pavilion
Where should you start your job hunt? What kind of jobs are a good fit for you? If you're feeling frustrated or lost trying to make sense of all the options on the job market, rest assured there's an easy way to approach it all. Join us for a hands-on workshop to sift through diverse job functions and figure out what might be the best direction for you. Make sure to have a LinkedIn profile completed to maximize your value from this session!

Facilitator: Vania Cao, Founder of Free the PhD
Vay Cao, Ph.D. received her doctorate in neuroscience from Brown University and the National Institutes of Health Graduate Partnerships Program. Dr. Cao's professional experience spans multiple commercial roles, from corporate training to scientific marketing to international consultative sales. Outside her day job, Dr. Cao is the Founder of Free the PhD, a grassroots career advocacy program and career guidance service for graduate students and postdocs. She spends much of her free time helping PhDs with networking, job applications, interviews and upskilling to land jobs they love. Dr. Cao is a passionate advocate of PhD career development, and aims to inspire and empower fellow academics to pursue the career path that is right for you.

SATURDAY WORKSHOPS

Beyond America: U.S. Scholars Exploring Work Overseas

1:15-2:15pm, Corwin Pavilion
Have you ever thought about a career outside of the United States? Would you even know where to begin? This workshop will cover the pros and cons of working abroad, areas of employment to consider, how to go about looking for work abroad, and how to market your existing skillset to make it more attractive for internationally-involved employment.

Facilitator: Julia McClenon, International Peer Advisor, UCSB Graduate Division; Former Foreign Service Officer, US Department of State
Julia McClenon has lived, worked, volunteered, and studied overseas in Japan and China, in addition to having traveled to several other countries. Her most recent international employment was as a Foreign Service Officer with the Department of State before coming to graduate school. She currently works with the international graduate student population through the Graduate Student Resource Center.

Immigration Options Beyond Academia: What International Scholars Need to Know about Working in the U.S.

1:15-2:15pm, State Street Room
More information coming soon!

Facilitator: Paul Herzog, Immigration Attorney at the Law Offices of Adam Green
Paul Herzog is an immigration attorney with a practice focused on business and family immigration, especially work visas for scientists, professionals and investors, as well as green card applications based on employment and family relationships. Fluent in both French and English, Paul received his J.D. degree the Tulane University in 1996 and his BA degree in philosophy from Syracuse University in 1993. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and has authored several articles on immigration law as it applies to scientists.

It's Never Too Early: Laying Foundations for an Easier Job Hunt for Early-Stage Grad Students

3:45-4:45pm, Corwin Pavilion
The most stressful time as a PhD might just be discovering that you are not competitive on the job market when you need a job. The vast majority of students wait far too long to prepare themselves for their futures. When the job hunt can take anywhere from 6 months to over a year of dedicated work and effort - sometimes more - we must become more savvy with our time during grad school. Join this candid Free the PhD Workshop to discover and discuss how to strategically balance your dissertation research needs with career exploration, upskilling and networking as an early-stage grad student. Get the most out of grad school and be ready for the job of your dreams!

The Resume Gets You the Interview but What Gets You the Job?

3:45-4:45pm, State Street Room
This workshop will help you prepare for all types of interviews, from the first call to the offer call. Better yet, you'll get to understand the process from a recruiter's perspective. Learn what to do in an interview and what to avoid. Equip yourself to tell YOUR STORY to create the win-win match between the employer and you.

Facilitator: Dixie Vargas, Talent Acquisition Manager at LinkedIn
Dixie Vargas currently serves as Manager of Talent Acquisition with LinkedIn. She helped grow lynda.com, a start-up company, from 50 to over 600 employees globally, before it went through a billion-dollar acquisition with LinkedIn, now a Microsoft company. With over 20 years of recruiting experience across different industries (i.e., engineering, finance, sales and film production), she leads with compassion, helping people make life-changing career decisions. As a member of the management team at LinkedIn, Dixie believes we can all succeed so long as you know how to tell your story and position yourself for a successful interview. It is not just about getting the job but finding the job that you are passionate about and speaks to your story.